Ritual Zoomorphic Figure with Axe and Head

Origin: Baule Tribe, Ivory Coast
Composition: lost wax caste bronze, wood, rubber (band)

One of the most incredible bronze pieces in the SUJARO collection, this extraordinary piece, with an abstract zoomorphic head and human body holding an axe and a head, may represent a spirit or have been used as a teaching tool for young Baule initiates. In some African initiation rituals, young men are taught about social conformity and “right action” through the use of figures and masks. The male figure is often used to encourage social conformity and maintenance of existing belief systems.

The piece, made through the lost-wax casting process, appears to represent a warthog/anteater/crocodile combined; the faces may represent small “passport” masks, worn on the body for tribal identification. This bronze leaves one with as many questions as answers. SUJARO has never seen anything similar and there is no available information in any journal or publication SUJARO has researched. Some moderate design similarity exists with the Senufo fire-spitter mask and a limited number of other Baule pieces. This museum-quality piece is thought to be mid-20th century in age from information gathered at the time of purchase, but has not been TL tested and could be much older.